The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

“Cousin,” Liang Ruochu adjusted her expression, “Aunt asked me to deliver some things to Aunt, it’s not what you think.”

Shen Hanyu stroked her chin: "What was I thinking about?"

How come she never noticed how stupid and clumsy Liang Ruochu was before?

It was obvious they were trying to hide something, as if they were afraid she wouldn't misunderstand.

Liang Ruochu reverted to her previous state, head bowed, unsure how to explain.

Shen Hanyu smiled and patted her shoulder.

"If you like my mother, then come and find her. My mother is very kind-hearted and has always been very loving towards you younger generations."

Shen Hanyu's words made no mistake, but Liang Ruochu felt that she was being mocked.

She bit her lower lip and said, "I haven't had a chance to congratulate my cousin on her upcoming wedding yet. I heard that my aunt has found her only scholars. If she passes the imperial examination one day, her life will be much better."

A glint flashed in Shen Hanyu's eyes. So that's how it is. Liang Ruochu is doing this on Xu Ying's orders. She had only just found out about this, and Liang Ruochu already knew so much.

"Then I'll take my cousin's good wishes."

Shen Hanyu spoke casually, then turned and went back to her own courtyard.

Liang Ruochu stared at Shen Hanyu's back, her gaze deep and lost in thought.

Xu Ying acted quickly, summoning people to the mansion the next day. When Liang Ruoxue heard the commotion and knew what was going on, she unusually ran to Shen Hanyu's courtyard.

"You're about to get married, and you're not worried at all. Since you have a way to handle that matter you told me about, why don't you marry him yourself?"

Liang Ruoxue sat opposite, fiddling with the sachet tied to her waist, still hesitant about Shen Hanyu's statement.

Since there was no one else around, Shen Hanyu naturally told her.

“If I were to go, I would at most be a concubine. Given my status, Liang Ruoyan might still become the principal wife. But you are different. You can compete with her.”

These words made Liang Ruoxue feel somewhat relieved.

"You're already overwhelmed with your own problems, yet you're still thinking about this. Aren't you worried at all?"

Liang Ruoxue stood up, but she still didn't ask Shen Hanyu about the Third Prince. Shen Hanyu wasn't in a hurry either; it wasn't the right time yet, and they were still waiting for an opportunity for Liang Ruoxue to make up her mind.

After drawing her eyebrows and applying makeup, Shen Hanyu looked at herself in the mirror.

Miao Cui tidied Shen Hanyu's hair and said sincerely, "Miss, you look very beautiful today. I have found all those people, and they will be at the Marquis's mansion gate soon."

Shen Hanyu smiled and said, "Alright, it's time to go take a look."

She wondered if Xu Ying had prepared the same people from her past life. She estimated that there wouldn't be much difference, since those people's 'talent' was top-notch among relatives.

The matchmaking attempt in her previous life also failed, mainly because Shen Hanyu accidentally learned about those people's affairs. She didn't want to marry them, so she broke off all ties with the Marquis's mansion and threatened to expose the matter. To save face, the Marquis's mansion gave up on the idea.

But when she turned nineteen, Xu Ying secretly made an agreement with the Guangning Marquis's family to send her in as a concubine.

The past is a mess. When Shen Hanyu arrived at the flower hall, it wasn't as lively as when Qi Jiaying came. Xu Ying was in charge of the arrangements. Liang Ruoxue and Liang Ruochu were both there, but Liang Ruoyan was nowhere to be found.

Speaking of which, Qi Jiaying is quite a remarkable person for agreeing to the marriage after knowing that Liang Fangfei was the one who did it.

"Hanyu is here. Take a look at these portraits first. I didn't let them come directly. They're all waiting in the back. If you see any you like, go and meet them."

Xu Ying, with a gentle voice, placed four portraits in front of Shen Hanyu, who traced them with her fingertips.

one extra.

She remembered the first three people, but she had never seen the last one, the thin, willow-like scholar.

Then look at the name in the bottom right corner: Ding Wenxi.

Xu Ying noticed that Shen Hanyu was looking at Ding Wenxi for a long time, so she took the initiative to ask, "Hanyu, do you like this?"

Liang Ruoxue glanced around.

"They were all plain-looking, as ordinary as can be."

Liang Ruoxue muttered to herself, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

Liang Fangrong arrived late, and Shen Hanyu pointed at the portrait.

"Then let's meet together."

Xu Ying was somewhat surprised; Shen Hanyu's cooperation made her feel that something was about to go wrong.

Liang Fangrong frowned as she looked at the portrait.

"these people……"

Xu Ying sighed and said, "Sister, don't look down on them. Although they are a bit ordinary, they have their own charm. Besides, they are all scholars. They will pass the imperial examinations one day and might even be able to help Hanyu get a title of Lady."

Liang Fangrong's words were completely blocked, and since Shen Hanyu had already said she was willing to meet, she had no choice but to put down the portrait.

Xu Ying comforted her, "Today is just a mutual assessment, there's no rush to finalize anything, so don't worry, sister."

Shen Hanyu went to the main hall, where the scholars Xu Ying had mentioned were waiting.

The first person I saw was Ding Wenxi.

When Ding Wenxi saw the person who came, he was stunned for a moment, and then bowed.

They were very polite.

The other three stared wide-eyed. Before Shen Hanyu arrived, they had been whispering about what this cousin would look like, and now that they saw her, she was indeed as beautiful as a pearl.

They all knew that Shen Hanyu had come from Suzhou to seek refuge with the Marquis's family and had no family background, so they looked down on her somewhat. Now that they saw her appearance, they had some designs on her and their smiles became much warmer.

Shen Hanyu disliked the way these people looked at her, especially Liang Sihan.

"Miss Shen, I am Zhao Ling, greetings."

One of them, wearing a scholar's hat, comically bowed to Shen Hanyu.

Shen Hanyu remembered this person; it seemed he had an affair with his cousin without a matchmaker. His cousin was only slightly less fierce than Xiao Ran. Zhao Ling, on the other hand, put on a respectable act and had a scholarly air about him.

The other two were more robust, and they subtly pushed past Zhao Ling to get closer to Shen Hanyu.

“Miss Shen, my name is Jiang Chengfeng, from Luyang. My family owns three acres of land and a house with one entrance and one exit. But don’t worry, when I pass the imperial examination, I will definitely build you a house with three entrances and three exits.”

Shen Hanyu raised an eyebrow. Oh, so it was that guy with the bad temper who would punch and kick people at the drop of a hat. The maids who had served him since childhood were covered in bruises.

“Miss Shen, I, Sun Jiaming, am a wealthy man with some savings. My family is better off than the three of them. If you marry into this family, you will definitely not suffer any losses.”

Shen Hanyu chuckled. This womanizer of his had probably kept about ten girls outside and those he had kept by his side who had been abused.

The only one left is Ding Wenxi, whose background is unknown, but it's probably pretty much the same. It's a wonder that Xu Ying went to all that trouble to find these awful distant relatives for her to meet.

Liang Fangrong sat to one side, feeling increasingly uncomfortable as she listened. These people were simply unappealing to her at first glance.

Xu Ying chose people who were supposedly educated, but they were frivolous and acted like playboys.

Liang Fangrong stood up. "Miaoyi, don't rush to agree. Let me talk to your aunt first."